A Hundred Drums Demonstrates Her Versatility On "Body & Soul" EP

In a dauntless exploratory through a world of sonic versatility, A Hundred Drums demonstrates her genre-bending sound design know-how in her latest four-track EP, Body & Soul. Gabrielle Watson deviates from the norm in this rhythmic, pop-infused project, inviting vocalists Jake Zimma and SAULE to fuel the soul of her newest work of art.

The A Hundred Drums project has been augmenting exponentially right before our eyes, dominating festival stages at Okeechobee, Shambhala, Electric Forest, Summer Camp, and many more. She has also provided fierce support on the road for highflying heavyweight acts like Rezz and Subtronics, hypnotizing the masses with her intentional yet intricate bass-infused drum work. Amidst the curation of her highly-anticipated album, A Hundred Drums now blesses fans with the Body & Soul EP to reinstate her production chops and remind listeners of her gripping yet enchanting trap tendencies.

The Body & Soul EP blossoms with “The Beginning”, a cinematic introduction detailed by synths and otherworldly echo FX. Utilizing her drum-dominant intricacies, Watson builds an invigorating crescendo that sets the stage for this saturated showcase of sound design. With dubstep VIPs promised in the near future, we can’t wait to see how A Hundred Drums harnesses this energy and expands upon “The Beginning”.

The title track, “Body & Soul”, allows the EP to bloom into a captivating ensemble of vocalizations and synth work. In a technique that is specific to her own sonic motifs, A Hundred Drums navigates inflections of R&B while cruising upon a free-flowing, electronic-driven melody. Parallels are drawn when juxtaposing the body and soul of this track with the drums and vocals, respectively. It is vividly apparent that A Hundred Drums’ composition style is both calculated and symbolic, as she poetically explores the core theme of Body & Soul through sound.

Advancing to the third track with Jake Zimma, “Body” supplies the EP with a euphoric, “windows down” vibe that revisits Watson’s ability to blend vocalists into her soundscapes. Historically, A Hundred Drums has worked with vocalists in tracks like “Scream” with MAE B, but “Body” offers an unprecedented sound for her project as of recent. Zimma proclaims, “I’m just vibing on a high, there’s no limit but the sky”, while A Hundred Drums provides a true fusion of trap and R&B through burly 808s and her signature drum work. A Hundred Drums’ capabilities expand beyond the bounds of your standard bass or dubstep producer – her ten plus years in music production shine through on the Body & Soul EP and cement her versatility in collaborating with vocal artists.

To close out the four-track EP, “Soul” with SAULE brings the ultimate reggae-trap shockwave that lives up to the title of the track. A Hundred Drums worked with SAULE on her 2022 heater, “If I Have To”, which has since become a consecrated staple in her discography. SAULE takes the reigns on “Soul”, unleashing an infectious feel-good chorus accompanied by suave raps that propel both verses. A Hundred Drums ensures the fluidity of this collaboration through the integration of vocal FX and a hypnotic key arrangement that dances in the background. Whenever these two join forces, you can bet that they will deliver the unexpected and manufacture an instant-download tune.

The Body & Soul EP demonstrates the gamut of A Hundred Drums production value while telling a story that manifests as an aural bloom of spirituality. With imminent Body & Soul VIPs on the way followed by her upcoming album, all eyes are on A Hundred Drums as she dominates the electronic space, transcending genres as the master of all.

What did you think of A Hundred Drums’ Body & Soul EP? Check out the project in full down below and let us know your thoughts in the comments!